State to break ground for Veterans cemetery Saturday

Saturday is Veterans Day and the state will mark the day by breaking ground for the new Iowa Veterans Cemetery west of Des Moines near Van Meter. Iowa Veterans Affairs executive director Patrick Palmershiem says veterans and current members of the armed forces from around the state will be on hand.

He says they’ll start the ceremony at three o’clock with a flyover by F-16’s and several dignitaries will be on hand. Palmershiem says the cemetery is long overdue and he’s really looking forward to moving ahead.

Palmershiem says the event is open to everyone. Palmershiem says people will be surprised at what they see at the site, provided it’s not covered with snow. Palmershiem says the cemetery site is easy to get to off Interstate 80. He says you should take the 113 exit at Van Meter and there will be signs telling you where to go. The fundraising for the cemetery began three years ago on Veterans Day.